Brioche Christmas Wreath Recipe

During the holidays, it seems everyone is too busy to cook everyday meals, let alone fancy dishes for company. However, with time-saving appliances, it’s possible to accomplish more than expected. One of the best, and most ignored, time-saving appliances is the automatic bread machine. These machines make perfect dough; all you have to do is dump a few ingredients in, check after five minutes to make sure the dough has enough liquid, and wait for it to call you when it’s ready. Once ready, the dough can be shaped and baked – a task that is usually quite fast. Brioche is a rich, buttery and delicious French bread that is usually time-consuming (including a sit overnight in the fridge) to make; however, the dough can be done in the automatic bread machine in minimal hands-on time. With a few dehydrated vegetables added, brioche dough can be made into a beautiful Brioche Christmas Wreath that goes well with soup or salad; and leftovers can be used for sandwiches.
Dehydrated vegetables are great time-savers – no chopping peeling, etc., but if they aren’t available, fresh can be used in this bread. Although freshly baked is always preferable, this wreath can be baked ahead and frozen. Let it thaw before serving, and reheat in a 325° oven before garnishing with a Christmas bow and some holly. Serve it for Christmas dinner, or it’s also perfect for a holiday brunch.